Jose Mourinho is considering overlooking Ashley Cole for Chelseas Champions League semi-final clash with Atletico Madrid, which would cast serious doubt on the left-backs future at Stamford Bridge. Failure to play against Atletico would also place a big question mark against Coles claim for a place in Englands World Cup squad and hand an advantage to Southampton teenager Luke Shaw. Chelsea manager Mourinho is without the suspended Branislav Ivanovic for Tuesday nights semi-final first leg in Madrid, which appeared to hand an opportunity to 33-year-old Cole. But rather than bringing Cole in at left-back and moving Cesar Azpilicueta to the right, Mourinho is looking at different options, including replacing Ivanovic with David Luiz and leaving Azpilicueta on the left. Coles contract expires at the end of the season and he has not started for Chelsea since Jan 26. Mourinho has insisted Cole will be offered an extension and assistant coach Steve Holland echoed that yesterday. But leaving him out against Atletico would indicate that the players future is bleak. Chelsea are considering pulling out of the race to sign Shaw, with Manchester United prepared to pay pounds 30 million for the 18-year-old and offer him first-team guarantees. But the Blues are also interested in Sevilla left- back Alberto Moreno and could give Patrick van Aanholt a greater chance next season. Cole was pictured at the Christmas party of his former club Arsenal in December, but Chelsea insist there has not been a falling-out between him and Mourinho over the incident. . https://m.facebook/PREMIERLEAGUE132?refid=5&ref=bookmark
Posted on: Sat, 19 Apr 2014 07:51:08 +0000
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